Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
We rented a trailer from U-Haul in PA and paid for rental in full at the time of the rental. Four months later we received a letter from a collections agency for a substantial amount on an unspecified date. In a subsequent phone call to that agency they said it was likely for a vehicle violation, they would push the date back 30 days for follow up, and I should call U-Haul's violation dept to find out what it was for. Called them and person said it was for going through a toll. I said this letter from a collections agency was the first we'd heard of it. They said they get too many of these to bother notifiying renters, they pay it, and just try to run it through on your credit card or send it to collections, (and slap an additional admin fee on it.) PA law says owner of vehicle tag (trailer) is responsible for violation. I don't feel we should have to pay it since we were denied due process. Where does the law stand on this type of collections?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Did you go through a toll? What does your rental agreement say about tolls and ticket violations? If you committed a violation did you try to resolve it before the collection agency called you?
I would have to agree. Read the rental agreement. It will specify whether you are liable for this and whether collection fees can be added.
You knew or should know about whether you paid the toll. However, anything can be negotiated. I would not allow your credit to be ruined over something relatively minor. If you do this properly, you ought to be able to either pay in full and see if this will totally be removed from your credit file (due to the errors in U-Haul not notifying you of the problem) or trying to settle for less - maybe 50%, depending on how much they are seeking.
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